A nurse is reviewing a prescription for nystatin 200,000 units in a troche PO 4 times per day. How should the nurse interpret this prescription?
A.
Withhold oral intake until the troche dissolves in the client’s mouth.
B.
Give the client two troches in the morning and two troches in the evening.
C.
Tell the client to keep the troche under the tongue for 5 min before swallowing it
D.
Instruct the client to swallow the troche with 240 mL (8 oz) water.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. Withhold oral intake until the troche dissolves in the client’s mouth.
Explanation:
Nystatin troches are antifungal medications used primarily to treat oral thrush and other fungal infections in the mouth. The mode of administration is critical for the effectiveness of the medication. Troches are designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth, allowing the medication to come into contact with the infected areas for an extended period.
When a nurse administers a troche, it’s essential that the patient does not swallow it immediately or consume any food or liquids until it has fully dissolved. This allows for optimal absorption of the medication and maximizes its therapeutic effect. If the patient swallows the troche prematurely, the medication may not have sufficient time to exert its antifungal action locally, reducing its efficacy against the infection.
Let’s analyze the incorrect options:
- B. Give the client two troches in the morning and two troches in the evening. This is incorrect because the prescription specifies taking one troche four times a day, not two at a time. Adhering to the prescribed dosage is important for ensuring the effectiveness of the treatment.
- C. Tell the client to keep the troche under the tongue for 5 min before swallowing it. This is also incorrect. While it’s important to allow the troche to dissolve, it should not be kept under the tongue. Troches are intended to dissolve in the mouth, not to be placed sublingually.
- D. Instruct the client to swallow the troche with 240 mL (8 oz) of water. This option is incorrect because swallowing the troche negates its intended use and can lead to inadequate treatment of the infection.
In summary, the nurse must instruct the client to allow the troche to dissolve completely in the mouth without swallowing it, thereby ensuring effective treatment of the fungal infection.